Automatic electric piano-player.



L. I. LE PONTOIS.

AUTOMATIC BLEGTRIG PIANO PLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3, 1908. RENEWED MAY 3, 1912.

T; 1,046,471.. Patented Dec. 10,1912.

I I i Inventor. Wiinesses:

y +m 4w mdfitorneys.

L. J. LE PONTOIS.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC PIANO PLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3, .1908. RENEWED MAY 3, 1912.

1,046,471 Patented Dec. 10, 1912.

2 SHBETS-SHEBT 2.

a. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

anon J. m: ron rors, or new mrw Yonx.

AUTOIATIC ELECTRIC PIANO-PLAYER.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 10, 1912.

- Lplleaflon fled unit 8,19, Serial Io. Renewed I17 8, 1913. Serial I0.088,011.

at New Rochelle, in the coun exact specification.

' scribed.

My invention relates to automatic electric piano players, and moreparticularly to an electricall operated type.

Some o the objects of my invention are to produce automatic operatingmeans WhlCh shall be simple in form of construction, occupy a smallamount of space, and readily applicable to the usual forms of pianoactions.

Another object is the adaptability of the automatic operating means tothe piano n such a way that it may be concealed within the casing andalso permit manual operation of the piano at any time without thenecessity of any change in the mechanism.

These and other objects of my invention will be understood from thefollowing description and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is asectional view of one form of my invention, Fig. 2 is an elevationpartlyin section, with certain parts removed and partly in diagram, ofthe electric operating means, and Fig. 3 is a detail.

Referring to the drawings, a piano action adapted for an upright pianois indicated,

the front part of the piano casing being in 'dicated at 1 in section,and one of the operating keys being shown at 2. The key is shown aspivoted on a fulcrum 3, the inner end of the key having a capstan screw4 adaptedto engage the lower end of an operating abstract or. extension5 pivotally connected to arm or link 6 and arm or wippen 7, which inturn are pivoted to fixed supports. The wippen 7 is shown as carryingthe operating back check 8.

The parts thus far described illustrate one form of the usual manuallyoperated parts, and the parts affected by the back check 8 are so wellunderstood that the remainder of the usual mechanism need not bedescribed.

It will be understood that all of'the operatin keys and parts controlledthereby are 0 the usual general form above defrom one end 0 Within thecasing of the piano and in front of the actuating arts alreadydescribed, is a supporting e 9 extending the piano to the other andhaving a portion 10 depending therefrom. This supporting frame ispreferabl of web or skeleton form, as indicated. rom the portion 10 ofthe frame extends a plurality of supports 11 having bearings for a mainshaft 12, driven by a pulley 13. The pulley or other driving means forthe shaft may be driven in any suitable manner, either manually, ormechanically, such asby an auxiliarv moton; Fixed to and rotating withthe shaft 12 are a series of metal disks 14 preferably of some lowresistance material, such as copper, or of magnetic material preferablycopper plated and spaced from each other by sleeves 15 on the shaft 12.Supported by a plurality of extensions 16 from'the portion 10 is a fixedhollow shaft orrod 17 preferably of bronze or other non-magnetic mate-'rial, and above the rotating disks is another similar fixed shaft or rod18 supported by a plurality of extensions 19 from the frame 9, l0.Pivotally mounted upon the rod 17 are a plurality of electromagnets,each comprising a soft iron core 20 and poles 21 and 22 embracingopposite sides of one of the disks 14. Around the core 20 of eachelectromagnet is wound a coil of wire 23, one terminal of which isgrounded through the core and shaft 17 or 18 and the other terminal ofwhich is electrically connected to a metal sleeve 24 surrounding thecoil. Upon the outer surface of the sleeve 24 presses a contacting brush25 fixed to the portion 10 of the frame but insulated therefrom, a screw26 serving to secure the brush 25 in position and providing a terminal27 for connection of a wire 28 in the controlling circuit. At one sideof the electro-magnet the pole is provided with an extension 29 having acontacting part adapted to mechanically engage an extension 30 from asleeve 31 fixed upon one of the operating extensions 5. The sleeve 31 isshown as fixed in position by a screw 32, which affords means foradjusting the sleeve to any suitable position on its extension. Anotherextension 33' from the side plate or pole of the electro-magnet. extendsin the opposite direction from the extension 29 and carries pads orcushioning parts 34 adapted to engage respectively wlth stops 35, 36,which are fixed to the portion 10 of the main frame. The

stops 35, 36 are shown as screw bolts carrying cccentrically mountedparts, so that by turning either one or both of these stops, the rangeof movement of the electromagnet, which is pivotally mounted upon therod 17, will be limited in each direction, as desired. The nuts 37 willserve to secure the adjustable stops 35, 36 in any desired position.

On the rod or shaft 17 are a number of electromagnets of the form abovedescribed each of which cooperates with one of the extensions 5, and, asshown in Fig. 2, successive magnets cooperate with alternate extensions5 respectively. On the shaft or rod 18 are a series of similarelectromagnets embracing the upper portion of the rotating disks 14 sothat each of the disks is shown as being embraced by an upper and alower electromagnet of similar construction. The upper series of magnetshave extensions 29' cooperating with sleeves 31 fixed to the upperportions of alternate extensions 5, and it will be noted that theextensions 29 are on the opposite sides of the upper magnets from thesides of the lower magnets from which the extensions 29 project. Thissecures a staggered relation of the extensions and enables the upper setof ma ets to act upon alternate extensions 5 which are not acted upon bythe lower set of magnets. Otherwise the upper set of magnets are similarto the lower set and the parts are correspondin ly numbered. The rods 17and 18 are pre erably hollow and provided with radial perforationswhereby oil may be introduced and distributed to the bearings betweenthe magnets and supporting shafts.

' The connections of the controlling magnets will be understood from Fi2. A source of electromotive force is indicated at 38 from which onelead extends through a regulation rheostat 39 to a main metallicterminal or busbar 40. The perforated music sheet of usual form isindicated at 41 passing from the usual roll 42 to the receiving roll 43which may be supported and operated in any desirable manner. Theperforated-sheet passing from one roll to the other passes over the mainterminal bar'40, the end of which is shown in Fig. 2. Over theperforated sheet are mounted a plurality of brushes or contacts 44, thenumber thereof corresponding to the number of controllingelectromagnets. The brushes or contacts 44 are supported upon a rod 45which may be of insulating material in order to insulate the brushes 44from each other, or if desired the brushes may otherwise be insulated.The brushes 44 are arranged to press against the perforated sheet wherethe same passes over the main terminal bar 40 and this pressure may becaused by providing a spring 46 for eac contact brush. The brush 44 isshown in Fi 2 as connected by a lead 28 to the lead connected to one ofthe brushes 25 bearin upon the outer sleeve of a coil of one of theelectromagnets and the current may pass through the coil to its core andsupporting rod 18 and thence by connections 47 and 48 back to the otherterminal of the source 38. It will be understood that each brush 44 isconnected by an independent lead to its corresponding electromagnet andthat the circuits of each will corres 0nd to the circuit already tracedof one o the magnets, the circuits from the up r set of magnets beingcom leted through the rod 18 and connection 4 to the source and thecircuits from the lower set of magnets being completed from the rod 17and connection 49 to the source. Between each lead 28 from each magnetand the main terminal 40 may be connected if desired a suitablecondenser 50; thus there will be the same number of condensers as thereare cont-rolling magnets and keys. The brushes 44 are spaced in suchrelation to the perforated sheet 41 that each brushwill be in alinementwith the series of perforations for operatin a certain key, and as thesheet passes over t e main terminal bar 40, the brushes corresponding tothe perforations in the sheet will be pressed against the terminal bar40 making contact therewith and close the circuit from the sourcethrough the respective electromagnets and back to the source. Thus, eachelectromagnet will be excited to correspond with the perforations in thesheet 41.

Considering now the action of the electromagnets and the cooperatingdisks, it will be understood that the passing of a current through acoil of one of the magnets will cause the poles thereof to be magnetizedand a comparatively strong magnetic field will exist between the polefaces 21, 22 which embrace the disk 14. The constant rotation of all ofthe disks by a suitable source of power will cause eddy currents to beinduced in the disk corresponding to the magnet which is excited and theelect-roma netic action which results will cause the po es of the magnetwhich is excited to be quickly moved in the direction of rotation of thedriven disk, the direction of motion being indicated disks wil cause theextensions and hamnormally assume the position shown in Fig.

1, the pad 34 against the stop 85.

.ment of the magnets.

The excitation of one or more of the upper magnets causes the downwardlyextending pole or poles to be forced to the right and operate thecorresponding hammer or hammers, the stops 36 serving to limit the move-The lower set of magnets are so proportioned or weighted that they willnormally assume the position shown in Fig. 1, and when one of the lowermagnets is excited, the upwardly extending pole will be thrown to theleft by the action of the disk and thus serve to actuate itscorresponding stem and hammer, the stop 36 limiting the movement magnet.

It will be understood by those skilled in the artthatthe main, source ofenergy for operation of the magnets is derived from the means whichconstantly drives the. disks 14. The exciting current required for themagnets is very small, it being necessary merely to cause sufficientcurrent to flow to produce a magnetic field whichis weakcompared tousual forms of actuating magnets because with my invention no attractionof armatures normally at rest is necessary. In the latter form ofdevices, theexciting current required or ampere turns of the magnet is,comparatively large since the magnet must.

be the source of all of the energy for pro ducing' movement, Inaccordance with my invention however, the main source of the energy foroperating the movable parts is derived from the means for rotating thedisks as above mentioned, the magnets serving to supply only a verysmall percentage of the total energy. Thus very small currents and smallampere turns are sufficient in my improved form of operating means andconsequently, the sparking between the brushes 24 and main terminal bar40 will be inappreciable. I therefore overcome a serious difiicultypreviously encountered with automatic electric operating means.

It is apparent that my invention has the advantage of securin simplicityin structure, compactness, unitary structure adapted to be readilyapplied to or removed from pianos of the usual type, besides securingdurability and freedom from the necessity of frequent repair orinspection.

Although I have shown and described one form of my invention, it will beunderstood that various modifications may be made without departing'fromthe scope thereof.

Havin thus described my invention, I declare t at what I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,---

1. In an electric piano player, the combination with a piano action, .ofan electromechanical actuatin movable electric con uctor, a movable eectromagnet having poles embracing said conductor for inducing electriccurrents within said conductor upon relative movement beof theelectrotion, and means affected by the movement of said electromagnetfor operating a hammer,

device, comprisin a tween said poles and said conductor, electricalmeans adjustable at will for energizing the exciting coil of saidelectromagnet for producing a desired actuation, and means affected bythe movement of said electromagnet for operating a hammer of the pianoaction.

2. The combinationwith a piano action,

of an electromagnetlc actuating device,

comprising a driven conducting element, a movable electromagnet havingpoles embracing said element, means adjustable at will for energizingthe exciting coil of said electromagnet for producing a desired actuaofthe piano'action.

3. In an electric piano player,

chanical actuating device comprising a rotating metallic disk, anelectromagnet having poles embracing said disk, electrical meansadjustable at will for energizing the exciting coil of saidelectromagnetto produce a desired actuation, and means affected by the movement ofsaid electromagnet for actuating a hammer of'the. piano action.

4. The. combination with a piano action,

of an elect-ro-magnetic actuating device,

compr sing a driven conducting element, an

electromagnet having poles embracing said element, means for pivotallymounting the poles of said electromagnet, means variable at will forcontrolling the excitation of said electromagnet, and means 'afi'ectedby the movement of-said electromagnet for operating a hammer of thepiano action.

5. In an electric plano player, the combination with a piano action ofan electromechanical actuating device, comprising a rotating metallicdisk, an electromagnet having poles'embracing said disk, means forpivotally mounting said electromagnet, electrical means adjustable atWlll for energlzing the exciting coil of said electromagnet, and meansaffected by the movement of said electromagnet for operating a hammer ofthe piano action, whereby a desired actuation of the piano action isobtained at will.

6. The combination with a piano action, of an electro-magnetic actuatingdevice, comprising a rotating conducting disk, an electromagnet havingpoles embracing the faces of said disk, means for pivotally mounting thepoles of said electromagnet .eccentrically with res ect to said disk,means for closing the circuit throughthe coil of said electromagnet, andmeans operated by the combination with a piano action of an electromesaid electromagnet for actuating a hammer I of the piano action.

7. In anelectric, piano pla er, the combination with a piano action 0 anelectro-mechanical actuating device, com rising a rotating conductingdisk, an e ectromagnet having poles embracing said disk, means forpivotally mounting said electromagnet, electrical means adjustable atwill for energizing the exciting coil of said magnet, and means affectedby the movement of said elec- 5 tromagnet for causing the operation of ahammer of the piano action. 7

8.. In an electric piano player, the combination with a piano action, ofan electro-mechanical actuating device, comprising a 1'0- 10 tatingmetallic disk, an electromagnet having poles embracing said disk, meansfor pivotally mounting said electromagnet, means affected by themovement of said electromagnet for causing the operation of a 5 hammerof the piano action, a perforated sheet, and means including anadjustable current controlling element for closin the electric circuitof the exciting coil 0% the electromagnet corresponding to perforationsin said sheet.

9. The combination with a piano action, of an electro-magnetic actuatingmeans, comprising a rotating conducting element, two electromagnets ininductive relation to said element, means for movably mounting the polesof said electromagnets eccentrically with respect to said element, meansfor closing the circuits through the exciting coils of saidelectromagnets, and means af- 3 fected by the movement of saidelectro-magnets for causing the operation of some of the hammers of thepiano action.

10. In an electric piano player, the combination with a piano action ofan electro-mechanical actuating device, comprising a rotating metallicdisk, two electromagnets having poles embracing said disk, means formovably mounting the poles of said electromagnets, said mounting meansbeing eccentric with respect to said disk, electric means for energizingthe exciting coils of said electromagnets, and means afi'ected by themovement of said electromagnets for effecting the operation of some ofthe hammers of the piano action.

11. In an electric piano player, the combination with a piano action ofan electro mechanical actuating device, comprising a rotating metallicdisk, two electromagnets related to said disk for inducing currentstherein, means for movably mounting the poles of said electromagnets,adjustable electrical means for energizing the exciting coils of saidelectromagnets, and means affected by the movement of saidelectromagnets for effecting the operatiotn of some of the hammers ofthe piano action, whereby the desired actuation of the piano action isobtained.

6o 12. In an electric piano player, the combination with a piano actionof an electromechanical actuating device, comprising a movable metallicconductor, a plurality of electromagnets in inductive relation to saidconductor, means for movably mounting the poles of said electromagnets,electrical means adjustable at will for energizing the exciting coils ofsaid electromagnets, and means afiected by the movement of saidelectro-magnets for operating hammers of the piano action.

13. The combination with a piano action, of electromagnetic actuatingmeans, comprising a plurality of driven conducting elements, a pluralityof movably mounted electromagnets in inductive relation to saidelements, a perforated sheet, means including an adjustable currentcontrolling element for closing the circuits through the coils of saidelectromagnets corresponding to the perforations in said sheet, andmeans affected by the movement of said electromagnetsfor operating thepiano action.

14. The combination with a piano action, of electro-dynamic actuatingmeans, comprising a driven conducting element, means for driving saidelement, a movable device in inductive relation to said element, saidmovable device bein mounted eccentrically with respect to sai drivenelement, and means affected by the movement of said device for effectingthe operation of some of the hammers of the piano action.

15.. The combination with a piano action, of electro-dynamic actuatingmeans, comprising a driven conducting element, means for driving saidelement, a movable device for creating a magnetic field in relation tosaid element for inducing electric currents therein, means forcontrolling the strength 10( of the magnetic field, and means afiectedby the movement of said device for effecting the operation of some ofthe hammers of the piano action, whereby a desired operation of thepiano action is obtained. 05

16. In an electric pianoplayer, the combination with a piano action, ofelectrodynamic actuating means, comprising a plurality of drivenconducting elements, a plurality of movable electro-magnetshaving polesembracing the said elements and in inductive relation thereto, saidelectro-magnets being mounted ecc'entrically with.respect to saidelements, means affected by the movement of said. electromagnets forcaus- 11.5 ing the operation of the piano action, and a unitary supportfor said electro-dynamic means.

17. In an electric piano player, the combination with a piano action ofan electromechanical actuating device, comprising a plurality ofrotating metallic disks, a plurality of electromagnets in inductiverelation to said. disks, means for pivotally mounting saidelectromagnets eccentrically with respect to said disks, means affectedby the movement of said electromagnets for causing the operation of thepiano action, a perforated sheet, and means for closin the electriccircuits of the exciting coils o the electromagnets corresponding toperforations in said sheet.

18. The combination with a piano action, of electro-magnetic actuatingmeans, comprising a plurality of'driven conducting elements, a pluralityof electromagnets having poles embracing said driven elements, means formovably mounting the poles of said magnets, said mounting means beingeccentrio with respect to said elements, eccentric adjustable means forlimiting the movement of said poles, and means for exciting the coils ofsaid magnets.

19. In an automatic piano player, the

' combination with a piano action of an electro-mechanical actuatingdevice, comprising a movable electric conductor, movable means adaptedto induce electric currents in said conductor upon relative movementbetween said conductor and said movable means,

means for controlling the strength of the induced electric currents, andmeans in operative relation to said movable means for operating thepiano action, whereby a desired operation of the piano action isobtained.

20. In an automatic piano player, vthe combination with a piano actionof an electro-mechanical actuating device, comprising a movableelectrically conducting disk, movable means in inductive relation tosaid conducting disk, means for mounting said movable meanseccentrically with respect to said disk, and means in operative relationto said movable means for causing the operation 1 of some of the hammersof the piano action. 1

21. In an automatic piano player, the combination with a piano action ofan electromechanical actuating device, comprising a rotatable conductingdisk, movable means in inductive relation to said conducting disk, meansfor mounting said movable means eccentrically with respect to said disk,means in operative relation to said movable means for causing theoperation of some of the hammers of the piano action, and a unitarysupport for said actuating device.

22. In an electric piano player, the combination with a piano action ofan electro-mechanical actuating device, comprising a movable metallicconductor, a plurality of electro-magnets in inductive relation to saidconductor, and means for movably mounting the poles 'of saidelectro-magnets, said mounting means being eccentric with reference-tosaid conductor.

23. In an automatic piano player the combination with thepiano action ofan electromechanical actuating device, comprising rotating electricalconducting disks, movable means in operative relation to said conductingdisks for inducing electric currents therein, means for pivotallymounting said movable means eccentrically with respect to said rotatingdisks, whereby said electric currents react to cause the movement ofsaid movable means, and means in operative relation to said movablemeans for operating the piano action at will.

24. In an electric piano player, the combination with a piano action ofan electro-mechanical actuating device, comprising a plurality ofrotating metallic disks, a plurality of electro-magnets in inductiverelation to said disks, means for movably mounting the poles of saidelectro-magnets eccentrically with respect to said disks, and meansaffected by the movement of said electro-magnets for operating the pianoaction.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

LEON J. LE PONTOIS. '"itncsses GEO. O. IIOFFMAN,

K. SAGER.

